What is the Melody Trigger Method?

The Melody Trigger Method was conceived by Anthony Walter of the Prolobe community. It stands out as the most successful method for aquiring Absolute Pitch (AP). The idea is that knowing 12 distinct melodies that begin on each chromatic note allows you to: hear a tone, hear the associated melody, identify the melody, and thus identify pitch.

How do I get melodies?

There are a variety of ways.

1: Download mine at http://home.comcast.net/~barry.oreilly . MIDI and mp3 formats are available.
2: Use Prolobe's built in melody triggers (www.prolobe.com).
3: Compose your own.
4: Use popular tunes that begin on a particular pitch. Star Wars' Imperial March for example can be used for G.

What do I do once I have the melodies?

In short, become familiar with them. You may find the following approach helpful.

1: Burn my melody triggers to CD.
2: Listen to the CD for a week or two in lieu of your normal music listening.
3: Begin pressing pause, letting the melody finish in your mind. Identify the melody and you've identified the pitch.

What kind of software is there to use?

I have consolidated a list of all the AP oriented software I am aware of that has something unique to offer.

1: Prolobe (www.prolobe.com) is the most well known and used. Prolobe is a web app that gives users a level-based approach to learning AP. At each level you pass a singles test and a chords test.
2: Ear Training Companion by Chris Aruffo (www.acousticlearning.com) is geared mostly towards children and uses games to teach AP. This is commerical software.
3: ModLobe is a recently begun project that aspires to provide the numerous features ear trainers are requesting beyond what Prolobe provides. Some of the things slated for production are melodic dictation, pitch tuning, and MIDI editing.

What do I do about half-step errors?

Half-step errors are a standard stumbling block for those who learn AP. Practice is the surest solution.

How do I integrate progress with my general musicianship?

Another common barrier in the learning process is in using learned AP skills in a musical context. It is believed that practice with melodic dictation and slowed down MIDI files may bring flexibility to an ability that works well on isolated tones. This question may be better answered when ModLobe reaches some fruition or when other streamlined methods are established for this end.

How come I've never heard of this method before?

Oddly, there are no papers or scientific studies that I am aware of on the melody trigger method or anything like it. The method is not commercial and knowledge of it is mostly confined to the Prolobe community. It is our hope that in the future the method will be used on a wider scale.